Spline-based and stress-monitored patterning of fabric structures

• Published in: Computers & structures Vol. 119; pp. 203 - 214
• Main Authors: Brew, John S., Lewis, Wanda J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Cutting; Fabric structures; Flattening; Membranes; Panels; Patterning; Stresses; Tension fabric membranes; Three dimensional; Tension fabric membranes; Patterning
• ISSN: 0045-7949; 1879-2243
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruc.2012.11.013

► The proposed bi-cubic spline approach to patterning has a number of advantages. ► It provides information about the curvature of the surface, facilitating the choice of seam lines. ► It allows the geodesic lines for potential seems to be generated easily. ► It ensures edge compatibility between adjacent panels. ► Results show ultimate stress distribution being considerably different from uniform pre-stress. The shape of tensioned fabric structures is realised via a process of patterning, which involves ‘flattening’ of sections, or panels, of a 3D membrane, onto a plane. The patterning method proposed here uses bicubic spline descriptions of surfaces undergoing flattening, followed by elastic analysis of strains arising from this process and from membrane pre-stress. The results, which ensure stress compatibility along panel edges, produce a cutting pattern and stress variation within it when the panel is assembled into the 3D form. They confirm a general relationship between panel width and stress deviation from the intended pre-stress reported in [1].